Monrovia – The Liberian Senate on Tuesday failed to finalize discussion on a motion for reconsideration filed by Senator Oscar Cooper of Margibi County against a proposed bill crafted by Senator Jewel Howard Taylor to give financial autonomy to the Legislature.
Report by Henry Karmo – [email protected]
“The bill is vague and will cause confusion and problem if enacted as it is. I am only appealing for the time required to structure ourselves properly and craft a more detailed bill to include specific procedures and structures”-Senator Oscar Cooper, Margibi County
Senator Cooper filed a motion for reconsideration against the passage of the bill last Thursday and in keeping with the standing rules of the Senate, he had three session days to present his case to the body.
In his argument against the passage of the bill, the Margibi County lawmaker criticized the approach being used and asked whether the Legislature is prepared to immediately assume that responsibility.
He claimed that the proper financial management units have not been established in keeping with section- 3 of the proposed act where each house will adopt a system of sound financial management policies after the passage of the budget.
“The fact is that we operate on a cash basis budget, which means that the funds collected on a monthly basis by the LRA are what is available for expenditures.
What happens if there is a shortfall and government is not in the position to advance a three-month salary payment to the legislature? ,” he asked.
He also raised concern over whether or not the Senate and House of Representatives are prepared to share account and if so who are the parties to manage the account.
“There are too many unknown at this point as the bill is still vague. The intent of becoming financially autonomous is still not clearly stated.”
Vague bill
Senator Cooper is recommending that the legislature use the 2016-2017 budget to prepare properly because, according to him, the establishment of a financial administration and management unit will require vetting of the Legislature current financial staff, system and restructuring.
“The bill is vague and will cause confusion and problem if enacted as it is. I am only appealing for the time required to structure ourselves properly and craft a more detailed bill to include specific procedures and structures.”
Last week the Senate voted in favor of a bill giving financial autonomy powers to the legislature but a motion for reconsideration filed by Senator Cooper halted it.
The bill, according to Senator Taylor, if passed into law, will be in compliance with all provisions of the Procurement and Concession Act of 2010 and with internationally accepted accounting principles and procedures as well as the laws and procedures of the General Auditing Commission of the Republic of Liberia relating to submission to audit in a statutory period.
Senator Taylor in her argument said at the moment, except for the Legislature, the other two branches of Government (Executive and Judiciary) exercise financial autonomy, thus experiencing leverage, latitude and decisiveness in decision making and program implementation.
She said she believes the Legislature finds it difficult to function efficiently under the present financial administrative arrangement wherein the Executive Branch administers the budget and the processing of financial documents of the Legislature, thereby subjecting the Legislative Branch to a bureaucratic process which impedes its smooth administration.